Winter 2023 Watercolor Mini Series Live and Interactive on Zoom

 A. Michele’s NW Studio Mini Series Live and Interactive on Zoom Starts Feb 1, 2023

2023 Winter Watercolor Mini Series - 4 watercolor classes live and interactive  online - Replays Available 

Wednesdays 6-9pm PST

2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22-2023

Tuition: $160 for 4 classes on Zoom

Payable by Venmo, PayPal, check **

Format and details:

• This is a live online group watercolor class.
• All levels are welcome.
• Live lessons will be recorded and available for replay.
• Among other skills we will be focusing on brushwork, shadows and reflections 
• Each lesson will be approximately 3 hours including a 1 hour offline assignment.
• You will be able to see a close view of the instructor's workspace.
• You will be able to share your work in a private online notice board with other students.
• You will receive a supplemental email each week with a homework assignment.
• All handouts, links and recordings are found in the course portal.

**Enroll now:

Please send $160 for Feb 2023 watercolor mini series (4 weekly classes)

1. Venmo (@Michele-Cooper-49)
2. Paypal (https://www.paypal.me/michelec12)
3. Check to Michele Cooper

Please email me for further assistance michelec12@gmail.com

My Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/michelecooperart

My Facebook page 

https://www.facebook.com/ArtMicheleCooper

B. Intermediate Watercolor-In person 

A19.23.WI

Michele Cooper

Fridays, January 27 - March 17, 2023 (8 sessions)

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Kirkland Arts Center, Skylight Studio

https://www.kirklandartscenter.org

Intermediate, Ages 14 through adult

$375.00 $337.50(members)

This class is full.

Join the waitlist 

 

Fall Schedule for Weekly Watercolor Classes, 2019

After enjoying a summer full of family and art adventures of my own, I am excited to share more new watercolor adventures with students in my weekly classes.

Fall Schedule 2019:

Stanwood/Camano Island: Watercolor, All Levels
A Guilded Gallery
10/24 - 11/21---------5 weeks
Thursdays, 10am - 1:00pm
Register online or Call to register:  (360) 629-2787

Kirkland, WA: Intermediate Watercolor

Kirkland Arts Center
9/27 - 11/15-------8 weeks
Fridays: 10am - 1:00pm
Register online or Call to register: (425) 822-7161
Email: info@kirklandartscenter.org

Kirkland, WA: Introduction to Watercolor Workshop - Beginning Level

Kirkland Arts Center
11/16 - 11/17------2 days
Saturday and Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Register online or Call to register: (425) 822-7161
Email: info@kirklandartscenter.org 

Skagit Valley College - Mt. Vernon, WA

Watercolor Painting - All Levels
9/25 - 11/13 -------8 weeks
Wednesday Evenings: 6pm - 9pm
Register online or Call to register: 360.416.7638
Info:  email Courianne.Williams@skagit.edu

Palette Layout and Colors
(Please email michelec12@gmail.com for current layout and colors)

Materials List

Intro to Watercolor weekend was a blast!

This was our classroom at the end of the Spring Introduction to Watercolor Workshop at Kirkland Arts Center this weekend. What a lovely bunch of brand new watercolorists!

Winner! Congratulations to Melania for winning one of my original watercolor greeting cards fresh off the demonstration board this afternoon!

Beginning Watercolor Workshop

Not sure if watercolor is for you? If you have always wanted to try watercolor but been afraid to, or have tried it and become discouraged, take heart. This workshop will dispel your fears and help you begin to experience painting as an enjoyable and adventurous part of your life.

No need to go out and buy loads of expensive equipment. Pay a nominal lab fee and try everything out for the weekend. (If you used to paint and want a great way to get back into it, you come too!)        

Follow this link for more information or to Sign up online 

Watercolor Workshop for Absolute Beginners, Sat and Sun Oct 28 & 29

Follow this link for more information or to register

Not sure if watercolor is for you? Tried watercolor but need a little help? Gotten rusty and want to revive some old skills in watercolor? Come on over to Kirkland Arts Center next weekend and have some fun discovering what an expressive medium it is with Michele Cooper, NWWS!

You don't even need to purchase an expensive collection of supplies! Get unlimited use of all supplies from the instructor for $10 per person per day. Take home the art you make.

Take home your own painting of Autumn leaves.

This hands-on workshop presents all the basics for the first-time watercolor painter or a great review of color mixing, brushwork, and painting techniques for the out-of-practice painter. You'll learn how to set up your work area and arrange your palette. We'll discuss different types of paint, brushes, and paper. You'll get to compare student and professional grade paint, cold and hot press paper, and different types of brushes. Learn how to do dry brush, wet in wet, flat washes, and graduated washes.

Discover how to mix and layer colors and how to mix a complete color wheel from just three colors. Continuous hands-on demonstrations will show techniques first hand.

Education Office

(425) 822-7161 x181

 

Sat, October 28, 2017

   10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sun, October 29, 2017

   10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

 

Yesterday's Drybrush Demo on Periscope

It was fun demonstrating live yesterday afternoon on periscope.tv/michelecoopart 

We had people from Camano Island to Seattle to Virginia to New Zealand watching as I shared some tips on drybrush technique in watercolor. If you missed it, you can still watch the replay.

I enjoyed sharing the process of discovery as I played with a granulating, low chroma palette of Daniel Smith colors. For those who asked, the easel I used can be viewed here.

Thanks again for watching!

"Snowline"--Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper (8x10" on Arches 140lb Rough)

I was inspired by this photo from the North Cascads Institute Instagram. 

Day 5 of World Watercolor Month - 5th Free Watercolor Video

Just for World Watercolor Month, I have made 5 short YouTube video tutorials on easy how-to watercolor techniques and I will post them here each day. That way you can learn how watercolor works as you do your daily practice. Follow this link to today's free short video tutorial.

Today is Day 5 and I am having so much fun looking at the vast selection of watercolors from around the world being posted on Instagram and Facebook! This time my tutorial is about color temperature and easy to do value scales. Watch the video for tips on how to mix them.

Watch today's YouTube video for tips on making light and dark gradations with the 3 color palette. Wine bottles provide the opportunity to play with warm/cool colors. Wait till you see my page full of warm/cool color swatches to try!

Let's Practice!

Watercolor Value Gradations and color temperature  with a Limited primary palette of just three colors. You will need:

1. Fabriano Artistico, Arches or Saunders Waterford 140# watercolor paper 
2. Pentel waterbrush, your choice of a round watercolor brush 
3. water in small plastic cup
4. 3 small tubes of artist's quality watercolor (squeeze a bit out onto a saucer or make a DIY tiny travel palette and use the lid for mixing.
5. Colors: Azo Yellow, Quinacridone Rose, Phthalo Blue (green shade)

Well, that's the last of my five special YouTube videos made just for World Watercolor Month. If you have enjoyed them, please give me a thumbs up or comment. Check out my Periscope videos for more watercolor tips and demonstrations. Stop by and say hello!

Day 2 of World Watercolor Month - 2nd Free Watercolor Video

Just for World Watercolor Month, I have made 5 short YouTube video tutorials on easy how to watercolor techniques and will post them here each day. That way you can learn how watercolor works as you do your daily practice. Follow this link to today's free short video tutorial.

Today is Day 2 so let's stay with something easy. What can you make in 7 minutes?

a. Frosting

b. A 12 color watercolor wheel (say THAT five times fast!)

Watercolor Color Wheel Limited primary palette=Make 12 colors from three colors. You will need:

1. Fabriano Studio 140# watercolor paper 
2. Pentel waterbrush
3. water in small plastic cup
4. 3 small tubes of artist's quality watercolor (squeeze a bit out onto a saucer or make a DIY tiny travel palette and use the lid for mixing.
5. Colors: Azo Yellow, Quinacridone Rose, Phthalo Blue (green shade)

More Details on my two new Urban Sketching Workshops

Intro to URBAN SKETCHING Skagit Valley College (Mount Vernon Campus)

I am very excited to announce two NEW workshops on urban sketching where I can introduce you to some of my favorite sketching tips, locations and experiences. Every level of experience is welcome, but each workshop is particularly designed as an introduction for those who want to know what it's all about but haven't really tried urban sketching on their own. Or maybe you just need a little guidance on what to sketch and how to use your equipment.

Urban sketching might seem intimidating at first, but there’s a whole world of subject matter out there just waiting to inspire you. In each workshop, we’ll explore a number of different ways to approach sketching both in the city and in the countryside. You’ll learn how to create a simple, compact and inexpensive sketch kit, easy methods of sketching people, street scenes, marinas, gardens, markets, farms and more. Learn to do what other urban sketchers do when the weather turns against you by setting yourself up in a cafe window, a park shelter, a mass transit seat or in a museum. Instruction, hands on practice, outdoor sketching.

We'll start in the classroom for demonstrations, hands on practice and orientation. Then we go out on location to try out your new skills. Each day of each workshop will offer different locations in and around the Mount Vernon and La Conner area. Part of one day of each workshop features riding and sketching on the bus! (bus fare included with the workshop!)

Lunchtime will be one hour plus time to commute to the next location. Lunch Day One on your own, Day Two Cafe sketching in class (bring lunch money).
Location maps, materials list and complete schedule sent by email upon registration

6033   CART 072   AG   9:00AM-4:30PM   SaSu 7/9 to 7/10   H208   Cooper M   $179.00  Seats Avail: 7 of 10

6034   CART 072   BG   9:00AM-4:30PM   Su 8/21 to 8/28   H208   Cooper M   $179.00  Seats Avail: 8 of 10

EDiM 12 - Some stairs or steps

Watercolor Landscape-Step by Step

 

 

 

 

Nearly every day of the week, I teach watercolor. Part of the lesson often entails a demonstration of how to paint the subject, step by step.

I am a contributing author in two books, "The Ultimate Guide to Painting from Photographs" and Gary Greene's "Artists' Photo Reference: Buildings and Barns",  both published by North Light Books. My portion of each book includes step by step watercolor instruction.

Button up for Winter

Good morning, Sunday Painters. Just wanted to suggest a subject for your painting project today. The lines from an old song are on my mind "Button up your overcoat .......take good care of yourself...."

I know some of you are having some cold, snowy weather or wet and rainy this week. How about staying indoors and playing around with your watercolors today?

Paint something with buttons. What else comes to mind when you think of that subject?

5 generations of buttons

I used to have a pink wool coat when I was 5 with a matching hat, my mother (and grandmothers) had a button jar, and my granddaughter-in-law made the tea cosy which I have used for a tea party with my great granddaughter.

ATC or ACEO Tarts

I use a magnetic whiteboard to hold the tiny cards in place.

Dessert anyone? Is it tea time yet? These are the steps for your ATC or ACEO tarts:

#1. Go to your favorite bakery and purchase some fruit tarts. Or something else that you like that is equally yummy. 

#2. Use your .01 black Micron pen to draw them on 2.5 x 3.5" sized 140#CP watercolor paper. You can cut them yourself or buy them ready made.

#3. Use your artists' quality water colors to paint all the strawberries first, then the crusts. Once they are dry, then paint all the blueberries, then the cast shadows. Tips for painting the berries: Vary the colors and make sure to reserve the white paper for the top of the crust and shiny highlights.

Sign them, trade them, eat the tarts. Hmmm. May have to go back for the lemon ones. Oh! Did I say that out loud?

Face your fears

They say the best way to overcome fear is to learn more about what you fear and familiarity will help you overcome it. I think that if you go a bit further and can find beauty in the object of your aversion, you may just end up wondering why you feared it in the first place.

Botanical, whimsical or impressionistic, which approach will you take?

Do you think this is about bees, bugs and butterflies? Of course not, silly. :) It's about that blank piece of watercolor paper over there. So go get your paints, brushes and your Audobon book on insects and see how beautiful those little jewels can be.

There are some lovely watercolor inspirations by Kate Osborne, who uses watercolor techniques to interpret the subject in her own beautiful way.

Update: If you are in the Phoenix area, there is a section of the Phoenix Convention Center with sculptures of larger than life bugs called "Social Invertebrates". I learned of this because I follow Kirk Hays, #kirkart on Instagram. He did a great sketch of the scorpion today!

Intro to Watercolor II, Winter, 2014

Here's the instructor's view of our busy classroom on Saturday for my Intro to WC II workshop.
We worked all day until the room was full of color swatches, brushwork exercises, color wheels, greeting card crocus (croci, crocii, crocuses; all are correct for the plural according to the dictionary) and a shoreline landscape with figures, a boat and a kite at the end.
There was even a drawing where Gail won her choice of 3 fun art sets. Congratulations, Gail!

Join us for the next one April 26 and May 24 at Kirkland Arts Center. All new projects and skills to learn each time you come.

Painting Animals in Watercolor

Although this book is now out of print, I just had to share the cover with you. Lian Quan Zhen has such a loose, yet authoritative way of capturing the life and movement of animals and anything else he wants to paint. Fortunately for us, he is willing to generously share his approach and special watercolor techniques. Search the rest of his books on painting with watercolor.

Make your own Watercolor Cards

These are just two of the designs for our upcoming watercolor workshop for beginners on Dec 1,  at Kirkland Arts Center. No experience necessary, all materials provided. As you can see, one is simpler, very easy for beginners to do. The other is similar in design, but uses more colors and technique. Once you learn the technique, the sky's the limit!

More info...............If you want to continue practicing at home, I have a Watercolor Starter Kit that can be ordered in advance and taken home after the workshop.
Open to new students and returning ones. Call in (425) 822-7161, come in, or register online.

Yesterday's "class portrait"--Autumn Leaves

We filled a whole table top with autumn leaves at my Intro to Watercolor II workshop at Kirkland Arts Center yesterday. 

We had so much fun, one more workshop has been added for 2013. It's called a "Pop Up" workshop, somewhat on the order of "pop up restaurants". It's not on the regular catalog, but if we have a minimum enrollment, we can do it. It would be held on Sunday, Dec 1, 2013 from 10-4 at Kirkland Arts Center.

Designed for absolute beginners, no previous experience necessary, all materials provided.

Want to come? Please email me: michele at michelecooper dot com for more information, price, etc.

See previous workshop description here.